Cleaning a Dirty Tractor

[Challenger 27]

Just bought a Wheel Horse that needs SERIOUS cleaning of all EXTERIOR surfaces.  

 

I can tell the paint is in excellent shape, its just covered with years of crud!  PROBABLY NOT CLEANED IN 10 YEARS.

 

I DON'T want to damage the paint with a too aggressive cleaning product.  What would you suggest?

 

I need a strong, yet gentle on the paint, cleaning product.  

 

Your suggestions please.

 

Thanks.

[jay in nc 210]

i'd mix  10 parts water to 2 parts kerosene & add some dawn dish soap & go to it with a soft brush.  Jay

[Shuboxlover 479]

Simple Green!!!!!   WORKS GREAT!!!!!!!

[JC 1965 1,532]

I also use Simple Green it is very gentle and cuts grease and oil.

[Challenger 27]

So Simple Green is SAFE on the tractor paint?

[Shuboxlover 479]

Simple green is safe on pretty much anything.....pet, kid, tractor  etc.  friendly

[Operator 7]

My idea is to pull seat pan and console panels , load on trailer and go to local car wash, there use the presoak then do a good washing.   It is what I do to mine every spring and they look like new after.    Just my idea here.

[VinsRJ 723]

Simple Green.... is the way to go.

[Kelly 1,032]

I run them through the car wash to get the heavy crud off, then they are much easier to deal with at home. 

[Sparky-(Admin) 22,361]

The local car washes here have big signs up that state you are not to be washing oil and grease off stuff (engines I suppose). Must have to do with environmental stuff and the fact that the oil and grease end up in the drains that go to who knows where   . I think car washes are for cleaning the exterior of your car and not to de-grease anything.

Mike............

[Docwheelhorse 2,706]

I know it goes against what has been said here... but I have had some streaking/staining on tractors I have used simple green on the hood and fender pan.... just saying to be cautious.  Simple Green is great stuff... just trying to save you a forehead slap----although maybe it was just my luck and perhaps being in the sun had something to do with it.

 

Tony

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,206]

The local car washes here have big signs up that state you are not to be washing oil and grease off stuff (engines I suppose). Must have to do with environmental stuff and the fact that the oil and grease end up in the drains that go to who knows where   . I think car washes are for cleaning the exterior of your car and not to de-grease anything.

Mike............

 

 

I know it goes against what has been said here... but I have had some streaking/staining on tractors I have used simple green on the hood and fender pan.... just saying to be cautious.  Simple Green is great stuff... just trying to save you a forehead slap----although maybe it was just my luck and perhaps being in the sun had something to do with it.

 

Tony

The same goes for car washes near me.  Big signs that say no greasey engine cleaning.(or something like that) There is a truck-wash near-by that lets you clean stuff like that. Just be careful

 

And thanks for the simple green tip Docwheelhorse. Believe it or not, I was going to try that on my tractors whenever the snow goes away!! just maybe not the ones with nicer paint.

[pacer 3,176]

I wouldnt use any of the heavy duty cleaners - Simple Green, Purple Power, etc on nice paint unless greatly diluted, it can definitely cause streaking if used too strong, and its too late to do anything about it then. I use Purple undiluted to do my heavy cleaning and it will often take the paint OFF!

[BOWTIE 226]

I USE A PRESSURE WASHER WITH JUST WASHER FIRST. THEN KEROSENE THE GREASY AREAS WITH A PAINT BRUSH AND PRESSURE WAS IT AGAIN. NOW I USE DAWN SOAP IN A BUCKET OF HOT WATER. I ALWAYS TO THE HOOD AND FENDER LAST AND DON'T LET IT LAY ON THE NICE FINISHES. THEN RUN A BUFFER OVER IT AND WAX.

BOWTIE

[sorekiwi 761]

Purple Power will remove paint or streak it.  I'd stay away from it for what you want to do.

 

I've had good luck with Simple Green but I dont leave it on too long.  I spray it on full strength, work it around a bit with a brush and hose it off within about 15 minutes.

[64s 83]

I used a product from Dollar Tree a couple of years ago - I think it was called 'Awesome' cleaner.  I put some in a spray bottle to clean the engine on a 856 and put the bottle on the hood when finished.  When I picked up the bottle there was a perfect clean ring where the bottle was, so I poured a little on the hood and just let it run down.  Not only did the paint look much newer than the surrounding oxidized paint, but 3-4 years later the area still looks better and it seems like it didn't harm the paint, only removed the oxidation.  Sadly I never tried it on the whole tractor as I put it to work the minute it was running, but maybe I'll look for the stuff again and this time do the whole thing.

[joeshorse 0]

Purple Power has alkali in it which etches your paint........try something genltler like dish washing soap.

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

no pics? 

[varosd 1,185]

The local car washes here have big signs up that state you are not to be washing oil and grease off stuff (engines I suppose). Must have to do with environmental stuff and the fact that the oil and grease end up in the drains that go to who knows where   . I think car washes are for cleaning the exterior of your car and not to de-grease anything.

Mike............

I agree with Mike, I just got off the local trout stream and catch/released 3 nice Brown trout.  Please keep our streams and waterways clean!  Trout Unlimited!

[JimD 3,345]

Dawn dish washing liquid is an excellent grease cutting soap that shouldn't harm your paint. Many machine shops use it to clean their parts before shipment.

[hm12460 53]

Another vote for Dawn dish soap.

[smoreau 658]

Depending on the tractor I use purple power, simple green, dawn, and car wash soap. The workers that are not so nice and have oil leaks get the strong stuff as looks are not important as keeping it clean and well maintained. As for the nice, but non restored tractors, Dawn is best.  And last are the nice restored tractors. well I find that you just don't let them get that dirty and they are always well taken care of, so only car wash soap is needed and a soft cloth and shammy dry is all that is needed. 

 

So it depends on the tractor and its condition. if its a nice tractor, then use genital cleaners, but if its a worker and doesn't look all that great with lots of leaks, Harsher cleaners are needed.

Edited April 18, 2013 by smoreau

[Hodge71 665]

So it depends on the tractor and its condition. if its a nice tractor, then use genital cleaners, but if its a worker and doesn't look all that great with lots of leaks, Harsher cleaners are needed.

Use genital cleaners?!!!  ...holy moly...not cleaning my tractor with anything i use on genitals....

 

cmon...that was funny....

[smoreau 658]

ok that one slipped buy!!  funny know but you know what I meant

[sorekiwi 761]

Definately not using Purple Power anywhere near my genitals, I've seen what it does to the skin on my hands!